Game’s history surpasses 125 million combat sorties and 61 million player casualties

The largest promotion in the 5-year history of the PvP-based MMOG, "WWII Online", is set to begin June 22nd to celebrate the game's evolution and to thank players for supporting one of the longest-running MMOGs in the history of gaming.

The “Welcome Back Soldier” promotion will activate accounts of approximately 300,000 players for 14 days between June 22nd and July 6th. In addition, all former and current players who join the action during the promotion will be eligible for prizes such as t-shirts, drink coozies, free yearly subscriptions and more.

Playnet Inc. and its in-house development studio, Cornered Rat Software, launched "WWII Online: Blitzkrieg" in June of 2001 with follow-up retail releases, "Readers' Choice Edition", "Macintosh Edition" and most recently, "Battleground Europe" in many European countries. The current version is available through direct download at www.battleground-europe.com or as a game-on-demand through Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com)

"Its been a roller-coaster ride beginning with one of the earliest MMOG launches to growing and supporting a fiercely-loyal player community all the while trying to continue the innovative and unique approach to development that's seen WWII Online stand alone as the ultimate PvP MMOG available", says Al "Rafter" Corey, Executive Producer for Playnet. "We're so proud to stand up and say that we're still here and thriving after 5 years. This promo is just a small way for us to say thank you to the thousands of players, past and present, who helped make it possible."

More details of the 'Welcome Back Soldier' promotion and how to get a 14-day free trial of "WWII Online: Battleground Europe" are available at www.battleground-europe.com.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE "WWII ONLINE" TIMELINE

June '01 - "World War II Online- Blitzkrieg" launches with players fighting with and against thousands of others in combat infantry action and in command of one of dozens of accurately modeled WWII vehicles and aircraft. - Game exceeds 5,000 concurrent users- most ever for a first-person shooter.

Jan '01 - Winner of IGN's "Readers Choice: Persistent World Game of the Year" beating out "Dark Age of Camelot". - Winner of GameSpy's "Gamers Choice: Sim of the Year" beating out "Microsoft Flight Simulator".

October '05 - Brigade structure integrated adding player-run Divisions and Brigades bringing a new level of tactical and strategic realism to the virtual battlefield

Dec '05 - Fulfilling long time request by players, snipers are added to infantry class bringing the total of player-controlled weapons & vehicles above 100. - "Battleground Europe" retail release makes game available in Europe for the first time.